Security

Thousands of Herat residents demand ceasefire as peace talks move forward

2020-11-24

Thousands of Herat residents demand ceasefire as peace talks move forward

'We are fed up with this war and bloodshed,' said one participant of a gathering in Herat city.

Government development projects give Herat residents hope for future Economy

2020-11-23

Government development projects give Herat residents hope for future

Government development projects give Herat residents hope for future

Roadwork and other rehabilitation projects in Herat Province provide jobs for thousands of residents and improve the appearance of the provincial capital.

Afghan government, Taliban set to move forward on peace talks, say officials Diplomacy

2020-11-23

Afghan government, Taliban set to move forward on peace talks, say officials

Afghan government, Taliban set to move forward on peace talks, say officials

Both sides now have resolved several disputed issues, opening the path for talks to advance, said an Afghan official close to negotiators in Doha.

ISIS outlets exhibit major deterioration with lack of quality photos, videos
Media

2020-11-23

ISIS outlets exhibit major deterioration with lack of quality photos, videos

The degradation of ISIS's once-sophisticated propaganda machine reflects the territorial and ideological losses the group has suffered in recent years.

Evidence grows of Moscow's malevolent intentions in Afghanistan
Analysis

2020-11-20

Evidence grows of Moscow's malevolent intentions in Afghanistan

The Kremlin is continuing to to provide political and material support to the Taliban as a way to keep its grips on an unstable Afghanistan.

Takhar women vow to forgive Taliban atrocities if group makes peace
Security

2020-11-20

Takhar women vow to forgive Taliban atrocities if group makes peace

The Taliban's war has taken Afghanistan's economy and politics to the brink of collapse. It is time to end the violence, activists say.

What do you think of the Taliban's campaign of increased violence during the Afghan peace process?

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Spotlight

Afghan government bolsters education in Herat with almost 100 new schools

Students who once studied in tents are now able to attend schools with proper buildings.
Afghan government bolsters education in Herat with almost 100 new schools
China injects almost a million people with unproven COVID-19 vaccine
Health

2020-11-20

China injects almost a million people with unproven COVID-19 vaccine

Many of Sinopharm's trials are happening overseas, and the Chinese firm has offered little clinical evidence to back up its claims of success.

Kunduz residents denounce Taliban after failed attack on Dasht-i-Archi
Security

2020-11-19

Kunduz residents denounce Taliban after failed attack on Dasht-i-Archi

Security forces were able to repel the Taliban attack on Dasht-i-Archi district centre, which came as peace talks continue in Qatar.

Iranians filled with grief, anger over lack of accountability in last year's protest crackdown
Protests

2020-11-19

Iranians filled with grief, anger over lack of accountability in last year's protest crackdown

One year after massive protests rocked Tehran and other cities, people want justice for the 304 protestors and bystanders ruthlessly killed by the Iranian regime.

In Kabul, Imran Khan vows to help stem violence in Afghanistan
Diplomacy

2020-11-19

In Kabul, Imran Khan vows to help stem violence in Afghanistan

The visit is Khan's first to Kabul since becoming prime minister in August 2018.

US military vows to stand with Afghan government amid troop withdrawal
Security

2020-11-18

US military vows to stand with Afghan government amid troop withdrawal

The United States is set to cut troop levels to 2,500 by early next year, but Afghan officials do not expect a major change as 96% of military operations are conducted by Afghan security forces alone.

Afghan government bolsters education in Herat with almost 100 new schools
Education

2020-11-18

Afghan government bolsters education in Herat with almost 100 new schools

Students who once studied in tents are now able to attend schools with proper buildings.

Balkh officials register madrassas in attempt to root out extremism
Religion

2020-11-18

Balkh officials register madrassas in attempt to root out extremism

The goal is to improve educational standards and prevent the spread of radical views, officials say.

Afghan forces hunt down ISIS remnants as life normalises in former strongholds
Security

2020-11-17

Afghan forces hunt down ISIS remnants as life normalises in former strongholds

Residents in Nangarhar Province are rebuilding their homes and say they no longer fear the wrath of the terrorists.

Explosives seized in Farah mark latest Iranian assistance to Taliban
Security

2020-11-16

Explosives seized in Farah mark latest Iranian assistance to Taliban

The Taliban do not have the ability to operate against and fight the Afghan security forces without the military and financial support of Iran, a local official said.

Afghan forces hunt down masterminds of Kabul University massacre
Security

2020-11-16

Afghan forces hunt down masterminds of Kabul University massacre

Security forces arrested Mohammad Adel, the main suspected mastermind behind the November 2 attack, and another accused organiser, while killing a third fugitive.

Killing of top al-Qaeda official in Tehran prompts uncomfortable questions for Iran
Terrorism

2020-11-16

Killing of top al-Qaeda official in Tehran prompts uncomfortable questions for Iran

A report detailing the killing of al-Qaeda's second-in-command Abu Muhammad al-Masri also shed light on the regime's efforts to protect the terrorist leader in an upscale suburb of Tehran for years.

Zabul residents see positive change, improved security with police reforms
Security

2020-11-13

Zabul residents see positive change, improved security with police reforms

'The professional conduct of police has made us hopeful for a brighter future,' a local youth activist said.

Taliban threatened Afghan reporter killed in car bombing, rights group says
Security

2020-11-13

Taliban threatened Afghan reporter killed in car bombing, rights group says

Azadi Radio reporter Aliyas Dayee had been explicitly warned not to report on the Taliban's operations in the province or that the group was violating the peace with with the United States.

Government-backed horticulture project creates jobs for thousands of women in Balkh
Economy

2020-11-13

Government-backed horticulture project creates jobs for thousands of women in Balkh

The National Horticulture and Livestock Project seeks to build women's capacity, empower them economically, expand their access to social activities and increase vegetable production.

Azadi Radio journalist killed in Helmand blast as attacks intensify across country
Security

2020-11-12

Azadi Radio journalist killed in Helmand blast as attacks intensify across country

The attack follows a surge of violence in Afghanistan despite peace talks between the government and the Taliban.

US delivers hundreds of Humvees, combat gear to Afghan forces
Security

2020-11-12

US delivers hundreds of Humvees, combat gear to Afghan forces

The assistance to the ANDSF demonstrates continued international support for Afghanistan and will further enhance the capabilities of security forces, analysts say.

Iran's excuses 'not credible' over presence of nuclear material, UN regulator says
Security

2020-11-12

Iran's excuses 'not credible' over presence of nuclear material, UN regulator says

Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium is now more than 12 times the limit set in a 2015 deal with world powers, confirmed the UN nuclear watchdog.

Xi fuels jingoism at home while China's military grows aggressive abroad
Security

2020-11-11

Xi fuels jingoism at home while China's military grows aggressive abroad

The Chinese president is directing operations to undermine neighbouring countries while at the same time claiming that 'pursuing hegemony or bullying leads nowhere'.

Taliban members who embrace peace are welcome in Afghan government: lawmakers
Diplomacy

2020-11-10

Taliban members who embrace peace are welcome in Afghan government: lawmakers

Rahmatullah Andar, a spokesman for the National Security Council (NSC) and a former Taliban commander, is a prime example.

Afghan forces hunt down al-Qaeda leader in latest blow to terror group
Security

2020-11-10

Afghan forces hunt down al-Qaeda leader in latest blow to terror group

The killing of al-Qaeda leader Mohammad Hanif comes after that of Abu Muhsin al-Masri, another wanted terrorist, last month.

Tehran dangles promises of residential plots to families of slain Fatemiyoun members
Security

2020-11-09

Tehran dangles promises of residential plots to families of slain Fatemiyoun members

The Iranian regime is using the promise of land in a bid to trick Afghan refugees living in deplorable conditions in Iran into fighting its proxy wars across the region, say observers.

Over 1,300 religious scholars, students gather for peace in Jalalabad
Diplomacy

2020-11-09

Over 1,300 religious scholars, students gather for peace in Jalalabad

The continuation of violence, especially against educational institutions, is unacceptable and contrary to Islam, scholars say.

Beijing's diplomats adapt Kremlin tactics in broadening disinformation offensive
Media

2020-11-06

Beijing's diplomats adapt Kremlin tactics in broadening disinformation offensive

China's campaign borrows tactics from troll factories and relies heavily on Russian and Iranian state-sponsored news outlets to 'validate' false narratives and conspiracy theories.

Afghan violence surged despite peace talks, says US watchdog
Security

2020-11-06

Afghan violence surged despite peace talks, says US watchdog

More than 850 Afghans were killed in attacks in the three-month period ending in September, US watchdog says.